by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER U21 FOOTBALL
The highlight of the week was the wonderful achievement of the U21 football panel after their thrilling win against Cork in the EirGrid Under 21 Munster Football Championship Final last Thursday evening on a score-line of 1-15 to 3-8. Playing with a huge amount of determination and boosted by the welcome announcement that Colin O’Riordan was passed fit to line out, the players laid down to gauntlet to Cork from the throw in and deservedly held out for a famous victory on what was a tremendous night for Tipperary football. Buoyed on by chants of Tipp, Tipp, Tipp from the stand, the players each to a man, gave of their all and their desire to succeed culminated with captain Colin O’Riordan holding aloft the Corn na Cásca for the second time for Tipperary. Many congratulations to the side who now look forward to their All-Ireland semi-final fixture against Dublin.
Congratulations to manager Tommy Toomey and his backroom team whose attention to detail not only in the week leading up to the final but since the campaign started paid rich dividends and the Arravale Rovers man can be justifiably proud of his troops. A word of thanks too, to the great and vocal support from the stand of all Tipp followers that were in attendance, it was a privilege for all to witness the title secured on home soil.
Next up then as indicated is the EirGrid All-Ireland U21 Football Championship Semi-Final against Dublin this Saturday, April 18th, in O’Connor Park, Tullamore at 4pm.
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL
TIPPERARY V WATERFORD
After a three week break the Tipperary Senior hurling panel continue their quest for the Allianz League title when they meet Waterford at 4pm, on Sunday next, April 19th, in Nowlan Park. A recent challenge fixture in Clonmel between the sides which ended 1-13 to 0-16 will provide little insight for manager Eamon O’Shea as it is knockout stage now ahead of a final showdown against either Cork or Dublin.
Last year’s first round league tie at Semple Stadium on the 15th of February is the most recent league encounter between the sides with Tipperary edging it 2-13 to Waterford’s 0-16. The Tipp goals came courtesy of Seamus Callanan and the winner from Darren Gleeson’s long range free. In the overall context, Tipperary have played Waterford 42 times in the league with Tipp ahead on 32 wins Waterford have 7 and there has been 3 draws (1934 at Carrick on Suir and 2004, 2010 at Semple Stadium).
Narrowing that down again to more recent times the last 10 games favour Tipp also with 6 wins, Waterford on 2 and the 2 draws as indicated previously. Waterford’s last win was at Walsh Park on March 24th, 2013 with the result 1-14 to 0-16. The first league meeting was at Kilsheelan, on February 24th, 1929, where Tipp won by 4-4 to 2-3 and Willie Walsh (Walsh Park, Waterford) was the referee.
With Sunday’s game of more immediate concern two previous League semi-finals between the sides also favour the Premier County. On May 9th, 1965 at Croke Park the final score read Tipperary 2-18 Waterford 1-9, while the last semi-final encounter on April 19th, 1988 also at Croke Park, Tipperary proved dominant again as they eased to victory on a score-line of Tipperary 4-19 Waterford 1-8 with Nicky English scoring 2-11.
And finally in terms of the venue, 3 previous Hurling League meetings between the sides have been held at Nowlan Park.
The first of these was the final on May 3rd, 1959 when Tipperary won 0-15 to Waterford 0-7. The Tipperary Captain that day was Tony Wall of Thurles Sarsfields. We have to skip on then 38 years before the next meeting which was a quarter final fixture on April 8th, 2007 with Waterford edging it 1-20 to Tipp 1-19. Waterford won the title that year beating Kilkenny in the final.
Almost a year later to the day, April 6th, 2008 Tipperary exacted revenge by defeating Waterford 1-16 to 0-14 also in the quarter final. Tipperary later went on to claim their 19th and last league title, defeating Galway in the final with Eoin Kelly of Mullinahone the winning captain. The referee on Sunday is Barry Kelly from Westmeath.
Ticket information is as follows; pre-purchase price: Adult: €15 (No concessions) Juveniles: €5. On Match Day Price: Adult: €20. Concessions: €15 (bought at the venue on match day only) Juveniles: €5. Supporters are asked to please note that this is an unreserved seating fixture. The support for our side has been exemplary so far this season and again the appeal goes out to supporters to get your discounted tickets before Sunday and get to Nowlan Park early and roar on the team from the stands.
MUNSTER MINOR HURLING
Last Wednesday, the Tipperary minor hurlers got their season off to a winning start over Waterford in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Quarter-Final in Semple Stadium with a narrow one point victory 1-14 to 0-16. In what was a very tense affair, the Tipperary management were relieved to come out on top in what can be best described as a nervous hour for all concerned. Liam Cahill’s side now go on to meet Clare in the Munster semi-final on July 1st, in Semple Stadium.
MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL
Tipperary will play Waterford in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Quarter-Final on this Wednesday April 15th at 7pm in Semple Stadium, as they too get their campaign under way. Manager Charlie McGeever and his backroom team of Michael Power, Niall Fitzgerald, Kieran Healy, Shane Stapleton – Selectors, Mike O’Sullivan – Coach, D.J. O’Dwyer – Strength & Conditioning Coach and Brian White – Kit Manager, have put in marvellous preparation with the squad and are eagerly awaiting the opening round fixture on Wednesday.
With super momentum and optimism prevailing from last week’s U21 win, it would again be great to see a fine attendance in Semple Stadium to cheer on the minor footballers.
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Clean Ireland Recycling County Senior Football Championship commences early next week and action also continues in the Clean Ireland Recycling County Intermediate Hurling Championship, please check fixtures section for full details.
TIPPERARY COACHING & GAMES
Last Friday, April 10th, in the Dome, the Tipperary Coaching and Games launched the Thurles Fresh Milk Academy 2015, check website for more details.
CROKE PARK APPOINTMENTS
Two further appointments of note from a Tipperary perspective are as follows; Willie Barrett – Chairperson of The Central Referees Appointments Committee and Con Hogan – Member of the Finance Committee.
HANDBALL
Commiserations to the Tipperary U16/17 Team of Evan Hannon, Dan Healy, Ronan Tucker, Mike Ryan, Jack Moloney who were narrowly beaten in a thrilling All Ireland Final by 3 aces last Sunday.
NEW TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
It’s that time of year again when we focus on the New Tipperary GAA Draw, with the first draw is scheduled by the draw committee for Friday, May 22nd.The Draw Committee have introduced major increases in commission as follows, which should prove very attractive to clubs;
50% up to 200 members,
60% for members between 200 and 300,
70% for members after 300
All this and still retaining a €500,000 Prize Fund
Remember this is “The Tipperary Clubs Draw” and it’s up to every club to contribute to its survival. It has served the county well for 27 years and has survived very recent tough economic times. Now is a great opportunity for all our clubs to grow its draw membership and bring in much needed revenue with no risk or no cost.
With brochures gone to print the Draw Committee and the Co. Board are looking forward to a renewed effort by all clubs to restore “our” County Draw to its former greatness.
POST PRIMARY COMPETITIONS
Commiserations to the Abbey School Tipperary who came up short against St. Mary’s Academy CBS of Carlow in the Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Drummond Cup ‘B’ Football Final in Croke Park last Saturday. Despite putting in a surging late rally the brave Abbey lads were to be denied losing out by 1-14 to 3-03.
FOOTBALL ‘FRIENDS’ GOLF CLASSIC
As the countdown begins to Tipperary U21 footballers All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin on Saturday, the Friends of Tipperary Football have announced it will stage its annual Mr Mister Menswear sponsored golf classic in Thurles Golf Club on Saturday June 6th next.
With excitement at fever pitch in Premier County football circles following the U21’s Munster final success over Cork, Blue and Gold followers are keen to throw their weight behind the fundraising activities of the ‘Friends’ and a large entry is expected for the golf classic. Proceeds of the event will go towards the training and preparation of all Tipp football squads.
The 2014 classic, also held in the magnificent Thurles course, was an outstanding success with teams from all over Tipperary and adjoining counties taking part. The Friends deeply appreciate the kind sponsorship once again of Mr Mister Menswear, Cahir and Cashel, for the 2015 classic. Entries are now being taken for the event; Teams of 4 – €120, Teebox sponsorship- €50. The Friends would greatly appreciate your support for the event. Entries may be submitted to Martin on (086) 2549154.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB GOLF CLASSIC
Your support is requested also for this the 30th Tipperary Supporters Club Annual Golf Classic at the Tipperary Golf and Country Club, Dundrum on Thursday May 21st and Friday May 22nd, 2015. Many of our team participants have been with us since 1986 and we hope you can enter a team again this year. This is one of our major annual fund raising events and we want to continue our support to our management and team as they bid to win the All-Ireland title this year. All funds will be used to defray costs for looking after the team preparation for this year’s championship. Please mail your team entry, to John Tierney, Chairman, Tipperary Supporters Club at 105 Laraghcon, Lucan Village, Co. Dublin or email to johntierney105@gmail.com
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2015
The Tipperary Supporters Club membership for 2015 is now available and continues to grow.
Membership is €30 per person, unchanged since 2006.
Anybody who would like to take some Supporters Club memberships is welcome to contact Supporters Club PRO, John Coman on 087-9087105 or by email at info@tippsupportersclub.com
TIPPERARY GAA SCENE
Information concerning all areas in the GAA will appear in this section in the future. If you wish to include any item of interest in future articles, please e-mail at pro.tipperary@gaa.ie on or before 3.00pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at https://tipperary.gaa.ie to keep up to date with all the latest news in Tipperary GAA circles.
